63
83K
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
5-8
Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transaxle when
the vehicle is parked or when starting the
engine. Shift into Park only when the vehicle
is completely stationary.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to reverse the vehicle from
stop. Make sure that vehicle is completely
stationary before shifting into Reverse.
N (Neutral)
Use this position for starting the engine if the
engine stalls and you need to restart it while
the vehicle is moving. You may also shift into
Neutral and depress the brake pedal to hold
the vehicle stationary during idling.
D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving. With
the gearshift lever in “D” range you can get
an automatic downshift by pressing the
accelerator pedal. The higher the vehicle
speed is, the more you need to press the
accelerator pedal to get a downshift.
3 (Low 3)
Use this position for driving on moderate
uphill and downhill gradients. The engine
braking effect on moderate downhills can be
used in this position. The transaxle shifts up
only to 3rd gear.
2 (Low 2)
Use this position to provide extra power
when climbing hills, or to provide engine
braking when going down hills.
L (Low 1)
Use this position to provide maximum power
when climbing steep hills or driving through
deep snow or mud, or to provide maximum
engine braking when going down steep hills.
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to a lower
gear while driving faster than the maximum
allowable speed for the lower gear, the
transaxle will not actually downshift until
your speed drops below the maximum
speed for the lower gear.
NOTICE
Be sure to take the following
precautions to help avoid damage to
the automatic transaxle:
• Make sure that the vehicle is
completely stationary before shifting
into “P” or “R”.
• Do not shift from “P” or “N” to “R”,
“D”, “3”, “2”, or “L” when the
engine is running above idle speed.
• Do not rev the engine with the
transaxle in a drive position (“R”,
“D”, “3”, “2”, or “L”) and the front
wheels not moving.
If You Cannot Shift Automatic Tran-
saxle Gearshift Lever Out of “P”
(PARK)
83K-03-011C
Vehicles with an automatic transaxle have
an electrically operated park-lock feature. If
the vehicle’s battery is discharged, or there
is some other electrical failure, the
automatic transaxle cannot be shifted out of
Park in the normal way. Jump starting may
correct the condition. If not, follow the
procedure described below. This procedure
will permit shifting the transaxle out of Park.
NOTICE
• Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the
vehicle’s brakes.
1) Be sure the parking brake is firmly
applied.
2) If the engine is running, stop the engine.
3) Make sure the key is in the “ON” or
“ACC” position.
